Trojans tested by tournaments

SBEC young, but learningfrom impressive teams early

Junior Sara Carpenter and her SBEC teammates have played some of the region's best teams at tournaments. They haven't won as much as they hoped, but they may be well prepared for the 2-A West Regionals next month.

Thomas Busler The Commecial Appeal

The first big "T" on this particular campus is obviously for Trojans.

For the Southern Baptist Educational Center volleyball team, it's approaching that time of the season when another big "T" needs to stand for Tournament-savvy.

Sure, the TSSAA Division 2-A West Regional Tournament doesn't start until Oct. 15, yet the Lady Trojans need to do all they can to prepare for a situation that requires a lot of action in a short amount of time.

Test No. 1 came Aug. 25 at Briarcrest Christian.

"That just showed me where are we right now and how far we have to go," SBEC coach Joy Dedman said. "That early in the season, I knew that Briarcrest was going to bring in some good competition."

Turns out, the competition was extremely good. The Lady Trojans lost all five matches, including one to defending Arkansas Class 6A champion Jonesboro.

"It was tough for my girls," said Dedman, "but at the same time, because we played all day, got physically exhausted and we had to face quite a few defeats, I think that will help them to only go forward.

"At least their confidence isn't like they own the world at that point. They know there's a lot of work and a lot of effort that's going to have to go into this season to be where we want to be towards the end of the year."

Spring forward to this past weekend at Bolton, where SBEC (5-11) played five matches. The Lady Trojans, though, fell to University School of Jackson, Arlington, Westside (Ark.), Munford and Crockett County.

SBEC will get one more crack at a tournament setting Sept. 29. First Assembly Christian School is the host.

"Even when we don't win, I think we play really well when we face harder teams," Sara Carpenter said. "We perform better because we feel like we have to step up a level. I think our team does really well with doing that and working together to become better to match the competition."

Carpenter is one of three juniors. Bailee Roberts and Jenny Wells are the others. The Lady Trojans, 2-0 so far in Division 2-A play, have no seniors on the roster.

"What I have, I'm going to have back next year. So I'm looking to what we can do this year to build us up to be even more competitive for next year," Dedman said. "We have a very long road ahead of us, but I think we're making baby steps toward where we want to be."

Said Roberts: "I enjoy being a leader. I think it's great that we'll have this whole year to improve and still be leaders next year."

At the most vital position -- setter -- SBEC is turning to freshman Jordan Tupper.

"She's a really talented player," Carpenter said. "She's just been able to come up and rise to the level that she needs to be. I count on her fully to do her job."

Counting tonight's contest against visiting FACS, the Lady Trojans will have six Div. 2-A matches remaining.

"IC (Immaculate Conception) and Harding are probably the hardest teams that we are expecting to play," Dedman said. "I'm thankful we're playing them later in the season (Oct. 2 and Oct. 9). We just got the luck of the draw. I'd rather play them when I feel like our team is more sound."